Warner Music leads tributes to Chester Bennington

The music industry last night paid tribute to Linkin Park frontman Chester Bennington who has died aged 41, seemingly by suicide. He died in LA at about 9am local time yesterday morning, local authorities have confirmed.

Bennington joined what became Linkin Park in 1999, the year before the release of the band’s debut album ‘Hybrid Theory’. He enjoyed a long career with the outfit – the band’s seventh album, ‘One More Light’, was released in May – and also had a two year stint fronting Stone Temple Pilots.

He had spoken candidly about his struggles with drink and drug addiction in various interviews over the years, and also about the abusive childhood he endured.

In 2011 he told The Guardian: “When I was young, getting beaten up and pretty much raped was no fun. No one wants that to happen to you and honestly, I don’t remember when it started … My God, no wonder I became a drug addict. No wonder I just went completely insane for a little while”.

Bandmate Mike Shinoda confirmed the news of Bennington’s passing on Twitter yesterday, writing “shocked and heartbroken, but it’s true”, before adding: “An official statement will come out as soon as we have one”.

Echoing the sentiments of the flood of artists and industry people paying tribute to Bennington on the social networks as news of his death broke, the boss of the band’s long-time label, Warner Bros’ Cameron Strang, said: “Chester Bennington was an artist of extraordinary talent and charisma, and a human being with a huge heart and a caring soul”.

He went on: “Our thoughts and prayers are with his beautiful family, his bandmates and his many friends. All of us at WBR join with millions of grieving fans around the world in saying: we love you Chester and you will be forever missed”.

If you are experiencing mental distress or other issues affecting your mental wellbeing, you can contact The Samaritans on 116 123 or music industry focussed helpline Music Support on 0800 030 6789 or at musicsupport.org. The Mind website also offers information and support on a range of mental health issues.